The journey to preserve Babcock Ranch took another
significant step to completion with Governor Jeb Bush signing the "Babcock
Ranch Preservation Act" into law. The acquisition is the largest and
most expensive single parcel in the state's very successful history of
purchasing land for conservation, recreation, and wildlife corridors.

The acquisition of 74,000 acres of the 92,000 acre ranch
will provide a significant piece in the creation of a nature corridor from
the east to west coast of south Florida. This corridor will provide critical
habitat for the Florida panther, black bear and the scrub jay.

The final step to make this vision a reality will be the closing scheduled
for late July.

Developer Syd Kitson is seeking approval to develop part of the ranch into a
community of homes, commercial property, schools and a 27-hole golf course.
A provision in the sales contract with the state provides that land-use
approvals must be in place for this proposed community before the land is
sold to the state.

The Sierra Club has filed a challenge against the proposed community
development alleging violation of state planning standards by allowing urban
sprawl. A legal challenge that could take months or more to resolve would
push back the state's effort to buy the property.

Other environmental groups in support of the Babcock project fear the Sierra
Club's action may hinder the effort to preserve most of the Babcock Ranch.

Preservation of this major natural ecosystem - that otherwise could be
developed - is an important environmental legacy for Florida. Public access
for activities such as hiking, picnicking and bird watching are in the
immediate plans with the state's acquisition.

As a member of the Florida Cabinet in full support of preserving this
treasure, it is my hope that the state's purchase stays on schedule for the
benefit of all Floridians.

Tom Gallagher, Florida’s chief financial officer, said that a judge
reaffirmed her approval of the Department of Financial Services’ plan to
protect and to smoothly transition nearly 330,000 policyholders with
Atlantic Preferred, Southern Family and Florida Preferred insurance
companies to Citizens Property Insurance Corporation on July 1. The three
insurers are subsidiaries of the Tampa-based Poe Financial Group.

“We remain focused on protecting policyholders and ensuring they have
continuous coverage this hurricane season,” Gallagher said. “Tropical Storm
Alberto was an important reminder of the need to protect our homes and our
families, and our transition plan was developed with this in mind.”

At a hearing in Tallahassee, Leon County Circuit Judge Janet Ferris heard a
recent emergency motion filed by Poe officials regarding the three insurers
they formerly managed. Filed last week, Poe’s motion alleged the
department’s transition plan should have required Citizens to use Poe’s
affiliates – Poe & Associates, Poe Managers, and Mariah – and pay fees to
service policies being assumed by Citizens.
CONTINUED

STAND DOWN FOR FIRE SAFETY THIS
WEEK

Please join thousands of fire
departments across Florida, the
United States and Canada for the
2006 International Fire Fighter
Safety Stand Down. Starting on June
21, and continuing until all members
have participated, the stand down
will suspend all non-emergency
activity to focus on fire fighter
safety.

Departments will respond to all
emergency calls as normal but
between calls fire fighters,
officers and chiefs will take the
time to conduct safety training and
drills, review our safety-related
standard operating procedures,
discuss accident reports and have
open conversations about fire
fighter safety in the department.
The focus of the stand down is on
emergency vehicle safety—in
particular, on seatbelt use and
driving safely through
intersections.

“The State Fire Marshal is committed
to serving the residents of Florida.
Keeping our fire fighters safe and
healthy helps us respond effectively
to keep our community protected,”
said Tom Gallagher. “While fire
fighter safety is always a priority,
the Stand Down is an opportunity to
dedicate a significant amount of
time to the safety of our
personnel.”
CONTINUED

BUSINESS INTERRUPTION INSURANCE IS VITAL TO
BUSINESS SURVIVAL

In today’s global economy, a business owner needs to know what can
happen to all the hard work if the business is not correctly insured
against the destructive force of a natural disaster such as a fire,
tornado or hurricane. If the business does not reopen soon after a
disaster, customers cab be lost to a competitor across town or to
others halfway around the world. Skilled employees might have to
leave to gain employment elsewhere. A fast resumption of business
after a disaster is essential to the owner, the employees and the
local economy. There is an applicable saying that a community does
not recover from a disaster until local businesses recover.

While most business have insurance to cover their buildings and
equipment, many business that have to shut down following a disaster do
not survive because they have no income for days, weeks or even
months. Frequently, the businesses that do survive the disaster are
the ones that have business interruption insurance.

Business interruption insurance compensates for lost income if a
company has to vacate the premises due to disaster-related damage
that is covered under the property insurance policy. Business
interruption insurance covers the profits that would have been
earned, based on financial records, income tax returns and recent
operating statements had the disaster not occurred.
CONTINUED

FRAUDULENT E-MAILS ASK
FOR PERSONAL INFORMATION

E-mails to financial
institution customers that fraudulently claim to be from the FDIC attempt to
obtain highly sensitive personal information, including bank account
information. These e-mails falsely indicate that FDIC deposit insurance is
suspended until the requested customer information is provided.
FDIC Consumer Call Centers in Kansas City, Missouri, and Washington, D.C.,
have begun receiving a large number of complaints by consumers who received
an e-mail that has the appearance of being sent from the FDIC. The e-mail
informs the recipient that Department of Homeland Security Director Tom
Ridge has advised the FDIC to suspend all deposit insurance on the
recipient’s bank account due to suspected violations of the USA PATRIOT Act.
The e-mail further indicates that deposit insurance will be suspended until
personal identity, including bank account information, can be verified.

This e-mail was not
sent by the FDIC and is a fraudulent attempt to obtain personal information
from consumers. Financial institutions and consumers should NOT access the
link provided within the body of the e-mail and should NOT under any
circumstances provide any personal information through this media.

The FDIC is attempting
to identify the source of the e-mails and disrupt the transmission. Until
this is achieved, consumers are asked to report any similar attempts to
obtain this information to the FDIC by sending information to
alert@fdic.gov.